The Keota Eagles are moving on to the Class 1A Region 6 semi-finals after holding off the Highland Huskies, 49-43.

Unlike the first matchup between the Huskies and Eagles this season, this one would be a fight from wire to wire. The teams traded leads in the early going, with neither side getting a decided advantage in what was a physical matchup. Both teams’ scoring leaders, including Keota’s Cameron Haifley and Highland’s Kamryn Fink, struggled to get points in the face of intense defensive pressure. In the second quarter, Highland started to pull away, taking what proved to be the largest lead for either side at 22-14 a few minutes into the second, before the Eagles fought back to a 30-25 halftime score.

The third quarter was a turning point for the contest. Keota, which by that point in the game had trailed for quite a while, finally broke the seal, tying things up at 32-32 and then taking their first lead a few moments later. Although Highland fought back, the Eagles headed into the fourth with a 39-36 lead. The final quarter saw the Huskies make their last stand, and although they claimed the lead back at 43-41 with a Hailey Brun three-ball, an immediate triple the other direction from Emily Conger gave Keota the lead permanently. The Huskies had a few opportunities, but were unable to make good, and free throws iced the game for the Eagles, 49-43.

Keota improves to 18-5 with the win, while Highland drops to 20-4 to end their campaign. Keota head coach Jeff Sprouse says this win proves not only that his girls work hard, but they’re for real. “They’ve battled all year long. Everybody’s pretty much doubted us, because we’re kind of a flash in the pan they think. When you turn in a second half defensive performance like we did tonight… we made them work.”

Elyse Lyle led the Eagles with 13 points. Haifley had 10. Highland was led by Brun’s 13, while Fink added 11. Keota moves on to the Class 1A Region 6 semi-finals, where they’ll head on the road to face Dunkerton. The Raiders are 20-2 this season and easily dispatched Pekin on Tuesday, 73-35.